Baltimore County, MD Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Baltimore County Code § 17-1-103 sets the county's open-container rule. The prohibition reaches two situations: possessing an open container of an alcoholic beverage on public property, property used by the public, or a highway; and possessing one inside a vehicle that is located on any of those same places. The section does not require proof of drinking, only possession of an open container in a covered location. Two exceptions apply. First, the ban does not reach a public place where state or county law or regulation expressly permits open containers, which covers county-permitted festival or special-event zones licensed for on-site consumption.

Second, passengers may drink in the living quarters of a motor home equipped with a toilet and central heating, and passengers on a chartered bus in transit may drink if the bus owner or operator has consented. Neither exception extends to the driver's compartment of a vehicle or to an ordinary passenger car. The rule dates to the 1988 Code and was carried forward by Bill No. 114-99, and Baltimore County Police cite it most often on sidewalks, park property, and vehicle stops where an open can or bottle is in plain view.